The Peasant Wife: The Prime Minister's Beloved

There was a sting in these words, as if they were going to dump all the moral pressure on Chen Xi's shoulders.

However, Chen Xi's response was unusually calm and resolute, and every word seemed to be carefully considered.

"Well, if you really want me to accept her mushrooms, it's not impossible. But there is a condition - I will not accept mushrooms from anyone who persuades me. I will not accept mushrooms from the person who just persuaded me. Who among you is willing to be the 'good guy'? Stand up now."

These words silenced the originally noisy crowd, and an awkward and uneasy atmosphere filled the air.

"Why, weren't you all righteously saying that I was committing treason just now? Now, you are all speechless? Are you feeling guilty or are you afraid that the mushrooms in your pockets will fly away?"

At this moment, those who originally wanted to use the moral high ground to exert pressure have nowhere to hide.

The man who had been speaking confidently just now now sounded like an eggplant hit by frost. His voice was so low that it was almost inaudible, and his eyes were flickering with guilt.

"Hey, I just said that casually, don't take it seriously."

There was a hint of panic in his words. Obviously, when personal interests are involved, even the closest relationships can become fragile.

There was a cold light flashing in Chen Xi's pupils, a kind of contempt emanating from the inside out.

She raised her chin slightly and glanced at the man out of the corner of her eye.

At this moment, Chen Zhenwen and Chen Zhenwu rushed to the scene in a dusty state.

As soon as Chen Zhenwen saw Chen Xi, a surge of anger inexplicably rose in his chest. He only suppressed it because he was concerned about his mother's safety and did not let his emotions get out of control.

As for Chen Zhenwu, the well-known model of filial son who always obeyed his mother's instructions, he was already extremely anxious at this moment. He walked quickly to the side of Old Lady Chen with slightly red eyes.

"Mom, how do you feel? Don't let me worry." Chen Zhenwu's voice was a little choked, and his concern was evident in his words.

"Oh, my legs just won't work, and I don't know if they're sprained or broken."

Old Mrs. Chen frowned, her tone revealing pain that was hard to conceal.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll take you to the town's clinic to see the best doctor. Brother, come and help me. Together, we can carefully help Mom onto my back, and I'll carry her down the mountain." Chen Zhenwu's tone was firm, and his brows were full of determination.

Seeing this, the surrounding villagers put down their work and gathered together spontaneously to help.

They were very careful not to hurt Old Mrs. Chen, and they worked together to gently place her on Chen Zhenwu's broad back.

"Mom, please be patient, we will go find a doctor now."

Chen Zhenwen held on tightly from behind, and the two brothers quickened their pace in sync and rushed down the mountain.

Before leaving, Zhou Xuemei and Zheng Cuihua did not forget to look back, cast a resentful look at Chen Xi, and warned: "Chen Xi, if anything happens to your mother, the government will not let you off easily. An unfilial granddaughter like you will eventually receive the punishment you deserve."

Facing their accusations, Chen Xi responded indifferently: "It's up to you. Time is tight. Go quickly. Don't come to complain to me when the store closes."

The two men turned around and left angrily, their footsteps gradually fading away.

After they disappeared from sight, Chen Xi turned to face the surrounding villagers and said in a clear and calm voice: "If anyone still wants to continue picking mushrooms, please continue. If you don't want to, please feel free to do so without any burden. For those friends who are dissatisfied with me and don't like me, you can leave. Do you all understand what I mean?"

There was silence all around. No one chose to leave, and no one spoke.

"Since no one has objected, let's continue working. From today on, I hope to hear the voices of everyone working together, rather than gossiping behind the scenes. If I find someone gossiping in private, I will have to refuse to buy his mushrooms or fungus. As for who he wants to sell to, that is his freedom."

Chen Xi's words were simple and direct, carrying a power that could not be ignored.

Everyone witnessed Chen Xi's unusual courage and decisiveness.

Those who may have originally looked down on him could not help but secretly think that they must be more respectful and cautious when facing Chen Xi in the future.

Chen Zhenwu carried the thin but extremely heavy old lady Chen on his back with great effort, and every step he took was extremely solid.

His breathing became a little hurried until he finally stepped down the last stone step and reached the foot of the mountain. By this time, the sun was already setting in the sky.

Looking up at the path leading to the town, I couldn't help but feel a little anxious.

By the time they finally found the ox cart, the only clinic in the town would probably have been closed and silent.

"Brother, look at the dusk in the sky. Even if we get to the town, the clinic will probably be closed. Why don't we set out to take Mom to see a doctor tomorrow morning when it's just light? What do you think?"

Chen Zhenwen thought for a moment, his eyes gleaming with reason, and finally nodded, agreeing to this more appropriate arrangement, "Okay, let's do as you say, let mother stay at home for one night, and then we'll set off early tomorrow morning."

So, although the group was anxious, they did not panic and set out on the journey home again.

Taking advantage of the setting sun, Chen Xi quickened his pace and returned home.

In the yard, Chen Rong was busy, turning over the mushrooms that covered the ground with his hands. These gifts from nature had almost lost all their moisture under the scorching sun today, and had become dry and compact.

Chen Rong was thinking that if the sky remained blue and cloudless for the next two days, then he only needed to dry the sun for two more days and this season's harvest would be successfully concluded.

"Sister, you're back? Are they coming down from the mountain soon?"

Chen Rong looked up at her sister, fully expecting that it was the mood of welcoming her family back that prompted Chen Xi to return home early.

Chen Xi shook his head lightly, with a hint of helplessness in his tone: "Maybe we have to wait a while. There were some unexpected situations on the mountain today, which delayed us for a long time."

"Is that so? Then I'll gather the ones I've dried today and spread out the newly picked ones to continue drying in the evening."

As Chen Rong spoke, he carefully put the dried mushrooms into the basket.

Hearing his brother's thoughtful arrangement, Chen Xi felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and couldn't help but give Chen Rong a thumbs up, his eyes full of praise: "Well done, you are getting more and more capable!"

Chen Rong felt a little embarrassed by the compliment and scratched the back of his head.

"Chen Rong, I think we should start preparing dinner early today, so that we won't be starving like last night. If the food is prepared in advance, we can both have a bite to fill our stomachs. If we feel hungry again in the evening, it won't be too late to order more food."